There will be an important package this weekend in Valencia, that of Jonas Folger whose Yamaha Tech 3 will be entrusted as in Sepang to the Dutchman Michael van der Mark.
The German driver, author of an incredible Grand Prix at home at the Sachsenring, contesting victory until the end at Marc Marquez, was never in top form again after the Austrian GP in mid-August in Spielberg. He complained of exhaustion and then collapsed on Thursday in Aragon and before the flight to the Japanese GP.
The Bavarian still left for Motegi, but could not move on the Tuesday and Wednesday before the race, staying in bed in his hotel room. “ Jonas looked like a ghost », declared the director of the Tech3 Yamaha team, Hervé Poncharal, in Japan. In the photo above, taken on the Friday of practice for the Aragon GP, there is no risk of confusing him with Lewis Hamilton.
After an initial examination at Motegi Medical Center, Folger said he may have Epstein-Barr virus and glandular fever. At that time it was clear: with such a bacterial disease, no miracle cure could be expected, it was absolutely necessary to protect yourself and rest.
Folger's manager has announced a detailed medical report for the week before the Malaysian GP. But even two weeks later, there is a lack of accurate information about Jonas' current condition.
Road cycling pro Mark Cavendish predicted Folger's three-month break with absolute calm. “ You can't even play the Playstation » declared the friend of Cal Crutchlow à speedweek. com, who has experience with this illness and sent a detailed email to the Tech3 team describing his symptoms.
« Jonas is recovering and has even given up television and the internet “, declared his father Jakob Folger at the Sepang GP.
Medical information on Jonas' health is expected in the coming days. Dr. Angel Charté, medical director of Dorna, received the first results of the examinations carried out at the University Hospital in Munich two weeks ago. He should give the team his medical assessment for Folger's future, as soon as he can have a clear perspective. Further blood samples were sent to Leipzig, the analyzes of which could not yet be evaluated.
Jakob Folger, Jonas' father, said he needed to be more disciplined in his diet so that his illness, which has plagued him since he was ten years old, could be treated.
Jonas Folger is expected to be back for the first winter test of 2018 at Sepang in Malaysia from January 28-30.
Photo © Tech 3
Source: speedweek. com
